Christmas Day

Last year it snowed here. A rare white Christmas in central Texas. No snow this year. In fact it was like a Spring day in the 70s on Tuesday. Then yesterday it turned rainy and cold, more typical for this time of the season. Today, Christmas, the sun is out and it's a beautiful day.


As a warm weather guy I just as well do without snow or ice. Can't walk in it. Don't want to drive in it. Making my way back to central California is the best way to avoid lousy Winter cold and rain.

I began reading Robert Heinlein's "Starship Troopers" last night. The 1959 controversial bestseller was made into a movie, of course, but I had never read the book. He gets right into the story with a mobile infantry attack on a town of creatures eight feet tall called "skinnys" because they evidently don't gain much weight eating people. He tosses out a reference to the Bugs, giving a hint of what is to come.

I'm just about finished with Stephen Sears "Chancellorsville" as I continue my study of civil war battles and military history. A lesson to learn from General Lee: when you're out numbered two to one by an enemy, don't run. Look for a way to impose your will and take the initiative. 

An East Texas Christmas

Having Fun at Christmas

Nikon D7000 Practice Shots

Nikon D7000 Requires a Learning Curve

I purchased the new Nikon D7000 this week (it hit the stores in October/November) and have begun to learn how to use it. I've spent the last two days shooting and poking around inside the Menu and Controls and have learned a great deal. The Instruction Manual is okay, but still requires some general knowledge of photography to understand it. This is not a camera for beginners.

I'm posting some samples here to reflect my testing of the camera and its features. To see some samples of my work, go here: My Nikon D7000 Testing and Practice Shots.

Live From Daryl's House with Daryl Hall :: Homepage

Live From Daryl's House with Daryl Hall :: Homepage

How to lay out a drawing - Part 2 of 2

How to lay out a drawing - Part 1 of 2

Tutorial 11c : How to draw REALISTIC CLOTHES- Part III (Justin Bieber)

Tutorial 11b : How to draw REALISTIC HAIR - Part II (Justin Bieber)

Tutorial 11a : How to draw a REALISTIC PORTRAIT - Part I (Justin Bieber)

Critique No. 9: Tips on Drawing Eyes, Lips and Hair (part 1)

Darrel Tank: Troubleshooting the Sphere Sample Drawing

Sphere troubleshooting from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Mumford and Sons - The Cave

Mumford and Sons

Nikon D7000 Preview

Chase Jarvis: Nikon D7000 Preview

The Academy Is...

New TAI Album has pretty good song. Thanks Scalzi for the tip.

The Texas Rangers are on their way to the MLB playoffs tomorrow at Noon, and that has resulted in my traveling down Memory Lane to a beautiful Spring day in 2007. I was attending the Rangers training camp in Surprise, Arizona.

I remember this guy named Josh Hamilton and how everyone was talking about his story. Would he make it in the majors with all that baggage on his back? Will he remain healthy and stay out of trouble during the off season?

My only question now is: how many home runs will he have during the series with Tampa Bay?


(Above: I'm at the Starbucks a couple of blocks east of the Rangers training camp about to attend my first Spring game in 2007.)

Nikon D7000 Reviews

http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/27152/nikon-d7000-review/
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1009/10091515nikond7000.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/NikonD7000/

Darrel Tank Lesson 4

Sphere demo from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Darrel Tank Lesson Part 3

Paper texture for drawing from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Patches exercise from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Troubleshoot problems with your patches exercise from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

How light works from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Darrel Tank Lessons Part 2

Before you draw... from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

The Tapered Stroke from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Tracking with the Tapered Stroke from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Darrel Tank Lessons Part 1

I was randomly searching online the other night and came across Darrell Tank and his "Five Pencil Method" of drawing. I like his easy-going manner, HD quality presentation, and friendly teaching style. I thought I would post his Lessons here as I go through them.
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Materials for the 5-pencil method from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: the paper from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: the pencils (of all things) from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: the brush from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: the erasers from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: lighting the work area from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: pencil sharpener from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for the 5-pencil method: the working surface from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: the straight edge from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for the 5-pencil method: divider for measuring proportions from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

The secret, magic drawing tool (hint: it's a template) from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

How You Can Draw Realistic Hair from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

The Secret of Engaging Portraits from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

All My Life's A Circle

A Harry Chapin song is in the back of my mind this morning. Let me see if I can remember the words: "All my life's a circle, sunrise to sundown...etc., etc." Life does seem to go round and round and I feel like a skater on the rink in a roller derby contest.

I am back in Texas after more than two years on the road. MyRoadArt is by no means complete, my travels continue. But for a time I've returned to my roots in north Texas to wait until I find another road to follow. I left Texas in the summer of 2007 and returned to find friends and family still in relatively good health. Nothing much has changed. I do love Texas.